Tata Punch SUV to launch on October 18: Price expectations

Tata Punch SUV is all set to be launched next week. Tata Motors has confirmed that the price of the 2021 Punch SUV will be announced on October 18. The Punch SUV was unveiled earlier this month, and the bookings have been opened at ₹21,000. The deliveries are expected begin post official launch.

Tata Punch promises to be an affordable option for budget buyers looking for smaller cars with SUVish stance. It has already been put to test by journalists to check its capabilities. During the Punch review, HT Auto found out that the SUV offers a high riding position like an SUV, stable on road performance as well as off the beaten tracks where driving a regular car is challenge. (Check our full review here)

Being from the Tata stable, Punch is also likely to score very high on safety parameters. There are reports already that the Punch has passed the Global NCAP crash tests in flying colours, though official reports are expected to come out closer to the launch date.

(UPDATE: Tata Punch scores five-star rating in Global NCAP crash tests)

As far as features are concerned, Tata Punch has been packed with most of the creature comforts that one should expect from a car of this size. Though it does not have a sunroof or driver's armrest, Punch offers decent space inside and features to keep one engaged.

Tata Punch will be offered in seven colours, including dual-tone colour options. The front grille is flanked by head lights with LED DRLs. It also gets 16-inch alloy wheels.

Punch will be offered in four variants. The first is called Pure. It comes with dual airbags, 15-inch wheels, dual drive mode, engine-start stop, 90-degree opening doors, rear flat floor. The colour options available are White and Grey.

The second variant called Adventure offers features like 4-inch infotainment system, steering-mounted control, front and rear power windows and central remote locking.

The third one is called Accomplished, and it offers seven-inch infotainment screen, rear-view cam, voice recognition, passive entry, push-button start, six-way height-adjustable seats and cruise control.

The top-spec trim, called Creative, Red, Blue and dual-tone colour themes, projector head lights and LED DRLs, 16-inch alloy wheels, rain-sensing wipers, electric ORVMs, auto temperature control, cooled glovebox, leather-wrapped steering and gear knob, and iRA connected technology.

Based on ALFA-ARC architecture, Tata Punch promises to tackle broken roads with ease, some times even when there is no road. The SUV gets 187 mm ground clearance, 20.3 degree approach angle, 22.2 degree ramp over angle (unladen), Traction Control Mode and has 370 mm water-wading capability. Punch also gets a feature called Brake Sway Control, a first for a Tata car.

Under the hood, Punch SUV gets a 1.2 Revotron engine with Dynapro Technology churning out 86 PS of power and 113 Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a five-speed manual gearbox and an option to pick an augmented AMT with Altitude Terrain mapping. It can sprint from zero to 60 kmph in 6.5 seconds.

When launched, Tata Punch is likely to rival the likes of Maruti Suzuki Ignis. However, if priced aggressively, it may make some of the budget sub-compact SUVs like Nissan Magnite and Renault Kiger a run for their money too.